Upcoming Events

Message from the President

Please click on this link to read CIM President Joel Smirnoff's message regarding the importance of theory study.

As President of the Cleveland Institute of Music, I feel a great passion for our Preparatory and Continuing Education Division. I myself benefited from a happy and intensive musical training at a very young age which facilitated a natural and easily integrated musical outlook with other life endeavors.

It is on the basis of my own experience that I strongly caution the parent not allow any child to only pursue instrumental or vocal proficiency. Singing, piano skills, ear-training, Eurhythmics and theory all work on the young student's ability to hear and to think musically - and about any genre of music.

And it is, therefore, with great pleasure and pride that we announce the formation of a new Preparatory Class in Theory. The class, newly designed by our esteemed and celebrated Conservatory teacher of Theory, Dr. Diane Urista, will move in a creative and intensive way towards the level of 1st year Conservatory proficiency in Theory.

The young student's ability to hear pitch, intervals, harmony and counterpoint must precede a child's physical facility on a given instrument or in singing. And this is because the ability of the young student simultaneously enjoy and process what he or she listens to or plays determines how well he or she will memorize, practice and retain.

Hours of vocal or instrumental practice should be joyous and entertaining. They should efficiently address the technical challenges, the emotional logic and the "sound" that any piece demands. It is only if the young student can hear music in the same way that we "hear" and can transcribe spoken language that the greater context and purpose will motivate and "justify" the practice hour.

I believe very strongly that the child should be able to share and enjoy music at an elemental level: thinking about it, singing it and learning to actively identify while listening. This very beginning work towards musical mastery should feel in no way vocational, but rather playful.

Music is in all of us. We were made to sing, dance and play together. Our new offering in Preparatory Theory will be a joyous exploration of music and of our own abilities to hear it.

Musicianship

Music Theory courses are considered to be a critical component for the education of a serious music student. Providing a language for talking about music and understanding the principals and guidelines by which music is crafted by composers, enables performers a greater awareness of how to perform music at its highest level.

By seeking to identify patterns and structures in composers' techniques students develop the ability to recognize, understand, and describe the basic materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a score. Musicianship training and theoretical understanding facilitate and enrich instrumental study.

Basic Elements of all Theory classes at Cleveland Institute of Music Preparatory:

Ear training

Sight singing

Keyboarding

Composition

Notation

Improvisation

Private Instruction

Private Lessons are offered late afternoon to evening hours Monday through Friday and varied times on Saturday. Days and times vary by branch location. Submitting an application does not guarantee placement, as classes and lessons are limited to availability. Our open enrollment policy allows us to admit new students when a lesson time slot becomes available that matches an applicant's request up until the 9th week of our 18 week term. Tuition is based on the 18-week term. Please refer to the 2011-2012 rates table for more detailed information. Applications for instruction are available online.

Theory Classes

Directed Improvisation for the Young Musician

Parents of younger students ages 8 - 12 are encouraged to attend class passively to observe, all parents are welcome.

Age:

8 - 12

Day:

Saturday

Time:

12:30 - 1:20

Cost:

$262, 15 weeks (if not taken as part of pre-college certificate program)

Location:

Room 215, Main Campus

Instructor:

Dr. HeeJin Kang

Music Theory: Beyond the Fundamentals

Music theory is essential to a student's advancement. This class is designed to help the student obtain a comprehensive music education via ear training, sight singing, note reading, keyboard skills and written work. Weekly take home assignments will be given.

Requirements:

Students must be able to read music to be enrolled. A placement exam will be given to determine appropriate level.

The days/times the class will be offered are listed below. Please choose from one of the following:

Age:

10 - 14

Day/Time:

Saturday
10:30am - 12:00pm
2:00pm - 3:30pm

Tuesday
5:00pm - 6:30pm

Thursday
5:00pm - 6:30pm

Cost:

$420, 15 weeks (if not taken as part of pre-college certificate program)

Location:

TBD

Instructor:

Dr. HeeJin Kang

Music Theory for the Aspiring Music Major

This course is designed to build upon fundamentals presented in prior group theory classes. The main objective of this course is to expound upon theoretical foundations and prepare the serious musician to enter any accredited College/Conservatory Freshman theory course in good standing.

This course includes an overview and reinforcement of fundamentals. This level is a comprehensive study of the elements of music from rudiments through basic aspects of diatonic harmony. Take home assignments will be given.

Requirements:

Students must be able to read music to be enrolled. A placement exam will be given to determine appropriate level.

The days/times the class will be offered are listed below. Please choose from one of the following:

Age:

14 - 17

Day/Time:

Tuesday
6:30pm - 8:00pm

Thursday
6:30pm - 8:00pm

Saturday
9:00am - 10:30am3:30pm - 5:00pm

Cost:

$420, 15 weeks (if not taken as part of pre-college certificate program)

Location:

TBD

Instructor:

Dr. HeeJin Kang

Registration

Applications for instruction are available online or by contacting the Preparatory Office at anna.gibas@cim.edu, 216.791.5000 ext. 590. No fee to apply. Please specify which group and day you wish to enroll.

Registration Fees: Each student will be assessed annually a non-refundable registration fee of $50.00 for the full academic year (fall and spring semester). A non-refundable registration fee of $15.00 will be assessed for summer instruction.

*Please note that for those students enrolled in the pre-college certificate program, the cost of this class is part of your tuition.